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KAMLOOPS — Three weeks of training in Thompson-Nicola Country provided some answers for the B.C. Lions. But there are still some questions left hanging, as the team broke camp Wednesday and returned home to prepare for Friday’s pre-season game against the Calgary Stampeders.Such as:What is the soundness of linebacker Solomon Elimimian’s surgically repaired Achilles? Elimimian didn’t play in last Saturday’s exhibition game in Regina and has been rested in practice when showing obvious signs of fatigue.

While the Achilles seems fine, Elimimian tweaked his hamstring Tuesday and didn’t participate in Wednesday’s final two-hour practice at Hillside Stadium. His participation Friday (7 p.m., B.C. Place) is doubtful.

“It has nothing to do with his Achilles,” cautioned head coach Wally Buono. “It’s important to make sure he’s 100 per cent for next week (Lions open the CFL regular season June 25 against visiting Calgary).”ROOM FOR TWO FREE-AGENT RBS?: Eat up the clock. Keep the defence on the field and the rival quarterback playing toss on the sidelines. From the pages of history, Anthony Allen would like to believe the Lions could use a two-back or alternating one-back system that might allow both he and Jeremiah Johnson to make the roster. But that seems unlikely.

Allen, who missed the Regina game because of a “lower body” injury, realizes he has to show something special Friday, since Johnson appears to have the inside track to replace Andrew Harris as the starting tailback.

“I think any team needs two good backs,” Allen said. “Just to keep people fresh and the nature of the position. People get banged up. It’s an 18-game season. You don’t want to have any drop-off when the backup comes in. This game (Friday) is very important for me, because I’m in a running back competition. It’s a battle.”

CHANGE AT NICKEL?: Rookie defensive back Louchiez Purifoy came to the Lions with some baggage — he’s had disciplinary issues at the University of Florida and with the Indianapolis Colts, which caused him to be suspended and waived — but he is a big-time talent at the age of 23. (He declared for the NFL draft at 21).

Normally a cornerback, Purifoy has been moved to nickel back and could supplant Steven Clarke, who was expected to fill the position when Josh Johnson left for the NFL (Jacksonville Jaguars). “He’s a guy with a lot of potential, a guy that has a lot of ability, obviously,” said veteran halfback Ryan Phillips. “He’s trying to improve every day.”

“The past is the past,” Purifoy explained. “Most likely I’d still be in the NFL. But the B.C. Lions have given me a chance to play ball again. I have no problem with that.”SO, HOW’S THE O LINE?: It’s huge, propelled by tall foreheads, mighty legs and motivated by the preachings of position coach Dan Dorazio. But the starting situation in a couple of areas is fluid. No. 1 draft pick Charles Vaillancourt appears to have wrested the starting job at right guard from veteran Kirby Fabien, at least for this week. And there is minor concern for right tackle Levy Adcock, who had an X-ray taken of his knee earlier in the week, the same one that was ‘scoped in the off-season. Adcock sat out Wednesday’s practice and was replaced by rookie Antonio Johnson on the first-team unit.ARM BEHIND JENNINGS, LULAY?: Third-string quarterback hopeful Keith Price had the thankless job of starting the first, chaotic quarter of the first pre-season game last Saturday. He played mainly behind a second-string offensive line, saw his stat line drop because of receiver bobbles and looked ordinary — an unfortunate circumstance, in that he has been much better than that in camp. Price is unlikely to get much of a re-do Friday, however, as starter Jonathan Jennings and 1A Travis Lulay will see the bulk of the snaps against the Stampeders.“Heads were on swivels … I had a lot of rookies on the field with me,” Price explained. “That’s just part of being a quarterback — trying to elevate the players around you. Obviously, I didn’t get a ton of time or opportunity. But that’s just the way it is. You’ve got to take advantage of those opportunities when they come. Next time I’m on the field, it will be a different story.”

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B.C. Lions cautious with Elimimian, considering changes at running back

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